Feed mixer



Au 20, 1929. A. c. KANTMANN FEED MIXER Filed June 23, 1928 Jmntot IZ-Z Z II G. KanQrYa-w 77 Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENTVOFFICE.

ADOLPH G. KANTMANN, OF OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR T0 ANGLO-AMEBICAN MILL COMPANY, OF OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY, CORPORATION OF KENTUCKY.

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Application flled June 23, 1928. Serial No. 287,848.

The present invention relates to improvements in feed mixers, and particularly to mixers designed for the purpose of preparing sweetened stock feed.

In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to themanufacture of sweetened feed for stock, particularly dairy cattle. Such feed consists commonly of a mixture of grain and a sweetened liquid, molasses havin been generally employed.

The advantages of a feed of this nature are appreciated by stock men and various forms of mixing apparatus have been in vented for producing a thorough mixture.

Commonly, the molasses or liquid content of the feed has been heated before it is mixed with the grain, such heating being designed to thin the normally relatively heavy liquid to permit it to be effectively mixed with the grain.

However, considerable difficulty has been experienced in maintaining the molasses, for example, at the desired temperature, it having been found that the molasses is frequently heated to such a degree that fermentation occurs, thus rendering the product unpalatable to stock and also the product of the methods and apparatus heretofore commonly employed has frequently been unduly moist, so that it easily balls or forms relative large cakes or masses which are not suitable for feeding purposes.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mixing apparatus in which the grain and molasses, or other sweetened liquid, are supplied to the mixing receptacle at normal atmospheric temperatures. Further, the apparatus of the present invention supplies the molasses to the mixing receptacle in a solid stream or body as distinguished from spraying or dispersing the particles thereof as they are introduced into the receptacle.

The improved apparatus includes means for thoroughly mixing and agitating the ingredients and means cooperating with such agitating devices for producing the necessary heat to effect a very thorough and intimate mixture between the gram and molasses.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure l is an elevation, partly broken away of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a view of a modification.

Referring to the drawing in the several views of which like characters designate corresponding parts, 1 desi nates the body of the mixing receptacle. T iis, as shown, more or less conventionally, is preferably of cylindrical form in transverse cross-section and relatively elongated. Adjacent one end, the receptacle is provided with a grain inlet communicating with a conduit or grain supply duct 2, and near its opposite end the receptacle has an outlet communicating with a delivery duct 8. The molasses is supplied to the interior of the receptacle through a feed pipe 4, which is connected with suitable means for supplying the molasses at normal temperature under pressure, so that it will flow over the inwardly projecting end of the feed pipe in a solid stream.

Interiorly of the receptacle 1, is arranged an agitating, means comprising a shaft 5 mounted in bearings at opposite ends of the receptacle and provided with a series of suitable agitating arms or stirring blades 6. The blades or arms 6 are arranged relatively to the shaft in a substantially spiral manner, so that as the shaft is rotated, the material treated will be moved longitudinally through the mixer from the inlet to the outlet thereof. The length of each of the agitating arms is such that the outer ends thereof are always spaced a reasonable distance from the wall of the receptacle. The distance separating the ends of the agitating arms of the receptacle will, of course, vary according to the diameter of the receptacle, but it has been found that in an apparatus in which, the mixing receptacle is approximately seventeen inches in diameter, that there should be a clearance of approximately two inches between the wall thereof and the ends of the agitating arms.

The power for rotating the shaft and arms thereon is supplied from any suitable motor (not shown) and the agitation of the material is particularly of the form of a centrifugal agitation tending to create a vortex along the axis of the shaft and to maintain the grain content in a constant state of agitation and suspension.

The molasses is delivered from the pipe 4 into the receptacle 1 in a solid unbroken col- 11m, and at normal temperatures without being preliminarily heated. The pressure means employed for feeding the molasses 5 through the pipe 4 is sufiicient merely to deliver the molasses in a steady stream, and the pipe is of relatively large size, so that without undue pressure the molasses may be fed through it even at low temperatures. Very satisfactory results are obtained and a superior product produced when the molasses is supplied to the receptacle at a temperature of approximately 60.

.As the unbroken column of molasses 5 passes from the feed pipe 4, it is at once subjected tothe action of the agitating means within the receptacle and incidentally broken up and dispersed through the agitating area where it combines, while in suspension, with the suspended particles of feed, producing a thorough and uniform mixture. The stirring or agitating arms are so related to the shaft that they act to effect a gradual movement of the mixture toward the receptacle outlet, and to insure a very intimate mixing of the molasses and grain, means are provided for generating in connection with said stirring arms a certain degree of heat which actsto insure that all of the particles of grain will be properly treated and coated with the molasses. 5

One means for providing such a heating step includes rings 10, 11, which are secured to the inner face of the wall of the receptacle 1, and the vertical faces of which act to retard somewhat the movement of the mixture toward the outlet 3.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, only two of these rings are provided, but it will be understood that the number of such rings may be varied according to circumstances, size of apparatus, etc. The rings are located between the molasses feed pipe and the outlet 3, and as shown each is of angle form in cross-section, the annular flanges beingbolted, riveted or otherwise secured to the walls of the mixing receptacle.

The frictional heat developed by the con- 7 tact of the mixture with said retarding rings and the stirring arms or blades will uniformly heat both the grain and molasses, so that the effect is quite different and practically superior to methods and apparatus in which the molasses is preliminarily heated above the temperature of the grain. The uniformly heated and thoroughly mixed grain and molasses is discharged through the outlet 3 in the'form of a product which is light, and relatively dry. Instead ofproducing the frictional heat referred to by contact of the mixture with a retarding ring or rings, it is possible that this action can be obtained by arranging the stirring arms or agitators in different re- 55 lations to the shaft at various points in the length of the latter. If, for example, the

agitating fingers 6 adjacent the planes of in the receptacle to agitate the feed and com-' mingle the particles thereof with the molasses while feeding the mixture toward theoutlet, and means attached to the receptacle for retarding movement of the mixture toward the outlet and cooperating with the agitating means to create frictional heat to assist in mixing the feed and molasses.

2. In a feed mixer, the combination of a closed receptacle having inlets for feed and molasses, respectively, and an outlet, a rotary shaft within the receptacle provided with stirring arms for agitating the feed and commingling the particles thereof with the molasses while feeding the mixture toward the outlet, and rings secured to the receptacle and extending radially inwardly from the walls thereof to retard movementof the mixture toward the outlet and by contact with the mixture generate heat to assist the mixing operation.

3. In a feed mixer, the combination of a closed receptacle having an inlet for feed adjacent one end, an outlet adjacent the opposite end and-an inlet for molasses between the feed inlet and outlet, rotary stirring meanszin the receptacle to agitate the-feed andcommingle the particles thereof with the molasses while feeding the mixture to the outlet, and rings secured to the receptacle between the molasses inlet and the outlet for retarding the movement of the mixture and by friction with the mixture generating heat to assist the mixing.

4. In a feed mixer, the combination of a closed receptacle having an inlet for molasses in its bottom, an independent inlet for feed and a mixture outlet, of a rotary stirrer within the receptacle adapted to agitate the feed therein and commingle the particles thereof with molasseswhile feeding the mixture toward the outlet, and a ring, of angle form in cross section, surrounding the axis of the stirrer and connected to the receptacle, one member of said ring acting to retard movement of the mixture toward the outlet and to cooperate with the stirrer in generating frictional heat to assist in the mixing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ADOLPH G. K-ANTMANN. 

